Transcript Highlights:

• The motion passes and the bill is<00:42:59.119><c> p</c><00:42:59.680><c> uh</c><00:43:00.560><c> referred
• 01.040><c> to</c><00:43:01.920><c> committee</c><00:43:02.240><c> on</c><00:43:02.480><c> finance</c> is p
• uh referred to committee on finance is p uh referred to committee on finance as as as amended.<00:43:

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we</c><00:31:58.799><c> talk</c><00:31:58.960><c> about</c><00:31:59.120><c> a</c><00:31:59.679><c> p<
• So when we talk about a p maintain it.
• So when we talk about a p prison<00:32:00.320><c> and</c><00:32:00.559><c> then</c><00:32:00.720><c>

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard three resolutions first. STR 32/SR 18 asked the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to work with the Department of Transportation to use inmate work furlough programs for state roadway and highway maintenance. Testimony was generally supportive of the intent, but the Correctional System Oversight Commission raised concerns about using work furlough for maintenance and emphasized that participants should be paid at least minimum wage, be able to meet restitution and support obligations, and not have their release timing affected. The measures were later recommended and adopted by both committees with no amendments in the joint portion. STR 199/SR 179 concerned increased caution regarding foreign infrastructure. There was no public testimony. In decision-making, the committees split the measures: STR 199 was deferred because of a similar measure, while SR 179 was passed with amendments. The amendments were described as clarifying Hawaii’s goals of self-sufficiency, local self-reliance, and self-determination, and encouraging scrutiny by departments and agencies to reduce dependence on imports. STR 231/SR 207, which would direct DOT to install electronic equipment at state airports and harbors to scan for illegal fireworks, drew mixed testimony, including support from the Oahu Filipino Community Council and comments from Matson Navigation. DOT said it supported the intent. The committees adopted amendments to address Matson’s concerns by moving inspections to a place outside the immediate loading and unloading area, and both committees passed the measures as amended. The Public Safety and Military Affairs committee then took up additional resolutions. STR 113/SR 94, designating Hawaii as a Purple Heart state on August 7, 2025, received no testimony and was not discussed further. STR 204/SR 164, asking the Department of Law Enforcement for information on disposal, detonation, and destruction of explosive fireworks and similar hazardous materials, also drew no testimony in the excerpt. STR 107/SR 88, urging military branches in Hawaii to provide hurricane-resistant shelters for active and retired personnel and families, likewise received no testimony. STR 148/SR 119, supporting construction of a floating dry dock at Pearl Harbor, drew broad support from industry, military, and state economic development representatives. STR 149/SR 120, creating a vegetation management working group to address wildfire risk, received extensive testimony in support and comments, with speakers from DCCA, PUC, Hawaiian Electric, IBW 1260, Hawaiʻi Telecom, and Kamehameha Schools discussing wildfire hazards, responsibility for vegetation near utility infrastructure, and the need to include workers and landowners in the process. STR 126/SR 105, calling for an incremental reduction in the number of inmates housed in private out-of-state facilities, prompted a lengthy discussion with DCR. The director said Hawaii’s out-of-state incarceration is driven by overcrowding and security needs, not a quota, described the per-person-per-day cost of CoreCivic housing, noted that Hawaii pays about $96 per inmate per day out of state versus about $37 in-state, and said the department is working on a master plan and future facility needs. The committee also discussed the need for a new prison and possibly a new jail. The excerpt ends with the committee still in discussion, without showing a final vote on STR 126/SR 105.

Transcript Highlights:

• next</c><00:30:31.399><c> we</c><00:30:31.519><c> have</c><00:30:31.720><c> j</c><00:30:31.960><c> p<
• /c><00:30:32.320><c> director</c><00:30:32.640><c> for</c> thank you next we have j p director for thank
• you next we have j p director for D<00:30:33.480><c> and</c> support<00:30:41.960><c> good</c><00:30

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:01.200><c> would</c><00:03:01.480><c> require</c><00:03:02.000><c> that</c><00:03:02.280><c> P<
• /c><00:03:02.959><c> doctors</c> this bill would require that P doctors this bill would require that
• P doctors instantly<00:03:04.200><c> whisk</c><00:03:04.760><c> your</c><00:03:05.000><c> child</c><00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• that<00:20:49.000><c> you</c><00:20:49.200><c> have</c><00:20:49.520><c> about</c><00:20:49.880><c> P<
• :20:50.200><c> questions</c><00:20:50.559><c> that</c><00:20:50.720><c> you</c> that you have about P
• questions that you that you have about P questions that you have<00:20:51.360><c> regarding</c><00:20

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 72 on pharmacy drew only support, with testimony from the University of Hawaiʻi system, the Board of Pharmacy, pharmacists, and others; no questions were raised. HB 237 on peer support programs also received broad support from the Department of Health, DHS, early learning officials, families, and advocates, with testimony emphasizing the value of peer-to-peer mentoring and support for parents, youth, and people with disabilities; no opposition or questions were noted. HB 250, the prior authorization bill, generated the most discussion. SHPDA supported a revised version focused on reporting prior authorization practices and creating a nonbinding working group to develop automation standards, while PCMA, HMSA, Kaiser Permanente, and others raised concerns about duplicative pharmacy requirements, unintended consequences, and alignment with federal timelines and reporting. Several medical groups and individual patients supported the measure, describing delays and burdens caused by prior authorization. A committee member asked whether the bill’s working group differed from a similar group in Senate Bill 1449, and the witness said it was intended to be the same. HB 303 on health care preceptors was supported by the Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi, nursing and health care organizations, and the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, which asked that pharmacists’ residency programs be specifically tied to national accreditation standards. HB 341, relating to issuance of SPURS to assist the Hawaii Island Community Health Association, drew support from the health center and related groups. HB 692 on Preschool Open Doors received extensive support from early learning, education, family, labor, and community organizations; testimony stressed the shortage of child care and preschool slots, especially on Kauai, and the need to expand access for families. Committee members asked about adding family child care providers and about licensing/certification barriers, and DHS said the bill was focused on current licensed child care facilities and that certification issues were a separate, broader problem. HB 700 on cognitive assessments also drew strong support, with the Department of Health, the Executive Office on Aging, disability advocates, the Alzheimer’s Association, caregivers, and others urging use of a validated cognitive assessment tool during annual wellness visits and asking that the age 65 threshold be removed; some witnesses supported keeping the data-collection portion as a pilot and emphasized early detection and reporting.

Transcript Highlights:

• AG</c><00:27:06.399><c> is</c><00:27:06.520><c> asking</c><00:27:06.799><c> for</c><00:27:07.000><c> p<
• /c> AG I see that the AG is asking for p AG I see that the AG is asking for p only<00:27:07.799><c> portion

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee met in decision-making on a long list of Senate bills and adopted most measures with amendments or unamended, often with members voting aye and some recording reservations. Among the measures acted on were SB 40, SB 411, SB 436, SB 443, SB 447, SB 572, SB 583, SB 739, SB 742, SB 746, SB 816, SB 826, SB 830, SB 841, SB 850, SB 865, SB 952, SB 955, SB 1040, SB 1042, SB 1083, SB 1229, SB 1359, SB 1469, SB 1553, SB 1578, SB 1609, SB 1610, SB 1619, and SB 1641. Common amendments included deferring effective dates to 2050, adding sunset dates, adopting LRB technical changes, and narrowing or clarifying program language. Several bills drew brief discussion on policy details. SB 583 was amended to remove references to selling naming rights, leaving only leasing. SB 739 was discussed for its land exchange provisions and concerns about ceded lands and OHA revenue, but it was still adopted with reservations. SB 830 was amended based on DNR testimony to address reconstruction after disasters, excluding certain coastal hazards. SB 850 added State Council on Developmental Disabilities recommendations to address health disparities for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. SB 952 shifted administration of a pilot program to the Department of Human Services in partnership with the Office of Wellness and Resiliency, and SB 1610 added requirements for utility connections and capped spending on the Ohana Zones/Cales-related program. The committee also heard substantial discussion on SB 442, which concerned returning retirees to state employment. Testimony from the Department of Law Enforcement and the Attorney General focused on whether the bill should allow a shorter waiting period and how it would interact with current 89-day hiring practices, succession planning, and law enforcement retirement rules. After debate, the committee moved to decision-making and adopted amendments to include investigators, expand eligibility to hard-to-fill or succession-planning positions, and set a term limit for returning retirees with director approval for extensions. In a separate joint Ways and Means/Judiciary hearing, SB 716, SB 763, and SB 804 were also advanced with amendments, including organizational placement changes for DLE programs and Attorney General amendments to avoid retroactivity and contract-impairment issues. Several items were deferred, including SB 983, SB 1220, and SB 828.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:39:12.640><c> even</c><00:39:12.880><c> though</c><00:39:13.040><c> the</c><00:39:13.200><c> p<
• /c> conversation about and even though the p conversation about and even though the p and<00:39:14.240

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:26:13.720><c> house</c><00:26:14.080><c> with</c><00:26:14.159><c> house</c><00:26:14.440><c> P<
• /c><00:26:14.600><c> for</c> in line with house with house P for in line with house with house P for

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 305, which would clarify and expand a healthcare workforce bill to explicitly include physician assistants and dietitians in efforts to address shortages, especially in rural areas. Rep. Fleming said the change was intended to help with Medicaid-related needs such as diabetes care and noted a decline in dietitian internship applications. Rep. Roarx supported the bill, emphasizing the value of dietitians in helping patients make practical nutrition changes. The bill received a unanimous favorable expression, 14-0, and was reported to the House floor. The committee then considered House Bill 427, which would create statewide 60-credit-hour transfer pathways for high-demand bachelor’s degree programs under the Council on Postsecondary Education. Rep. Grossl explained the bill is meant to prevent students from losing major credit when transferring between KCTCS and four-year institutions, using nursing as an example. Questions focused on rigor, dual credit, how high-demand programs would be selected, and the July 1, 2026 implementation date; the sponsor said CPE and faculty would map curricula and align standards. The Kentucky Student Rights Coalition testified in support, saying the bill would help students complete degrees faster and make credits count toward majors. HB 427 also passed unanimously, 14-0, with favorable expression. The committee then took up House Bill 424, as amended by a committee substitute. Rep. Tipton said the substitute removed language allowing up to six-year contracts and instead set up a process for four-year contracts and periodic performance reviews for faculty, including presidents, at public postsecondary institutions. He said the bill is intended to give universities clearer authority to remove underperforming employees and be more efficient with taxpayer dollars. Several faculty witnesses opposed the bill, arguing it would erode tenure protections, create arbitrary performance standards, and harm recruitment, retention, and academic freedom. The committee adopted the substitute and heard testimony, but no final vote on HB 424 is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• your title lands which is Crown<00:24:16.159><c> lands</c><00:24:16.880><c> Royal</c><00:24:17.360><c> p<
• /c><00:24:18.559><c> or</c><00:24:18.799><c> even</c><00:24:19.120><c> seated</c> Crown lands Royal p
• lands or even seated Crown lands Royal p lands or even seated lands<00:24:21.000><c> the</c><00:24:21.200

Committee: Senate Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing focused on Senate Bill 4, which would transfer stewardship of Mauna ʻAla from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Committee chairs opened the meeting with housekeeping and noted the hearing was live-streamed, with a two-minute limit for testimony. Director Don Chang of the Board of Land and Natural Resources said DLNR had been working with OHA and had agreed to transfer certain lands subject to due diligence, including Kahana Valley and a parcel in Waimānalo, but urged the committee to finalize those mutually agreed parcels before taking on something new. He also described the current arrangement at Mauna ʻAla as a collaborative one involving the state and the royal trusts, with the state handling routine maintenance and the trusts contributing to larger repairs and improvements on a project-by-project basis rather than through direct annual appropriations. Testimony was mixed. Supporters argued that OHA is better positioned to steward the site because of its cultural mission, Native Hawaiian governance, and ability to protect sacred places with greater cultural competency and accountability. Several speakers emphasized that Mauna ʻAla is not a state park and should be cared for by those with direct cultural ties and experience, and some cited OHA’s recent financial reforms and partnerships as reasons for confidence. Others, including representatives of the Daughters and Sons of the Hawaiian Warriors Makakoa, opposed the bill, citing concerns about OHA’s past financial management, transparency, and the need for more public information and testimony before any transfer. One testifier also argued the land transfer itself was unlawful and rooted in the history of the overthrow and annexation. Members and testifiers also discussed the historical role of the royal trusts and family caretakers at Mauna ʻAla, with one descendant describing a long family stewardship and supporting OHA only if amended language preserved checks and balances and protected iwi and burial grounds. Another speaker said the family recognized James Mayo as kahu of Mauna ʻAla and supported the bill because prior DLNR efforts had not sufficiently protected traditional and customary rights. The hearing ended after public testimony and committee questions, with no vote or final action taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• independent agency that has a Global<00:13:59.440><c> scope</c><00:13:59.720><c> and</c><00:14:00.000><c> P<
• c><00:14:00.320><c> purview</c><00:14:00.920><c> Over</c><00:14:01.240><c> All</c> Global scope and P
• purview Over All Global scope and P purview Over All State<00:14:01.839><c> agencies</c><00:14:02.639

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• highlights<00:27:46.000><c> them</c><00:27:46.840><c> as</c><00:27:47.039><c> the</c><00:27:47.240><c> p<
• 00:27:47.559><c> as</c><00:27:47.640><c> the</c><00:27:47.840><c> people</c> highlights them as the p
• as the people highlights them as the p as the people who<00:27:48.200><c> would</c><00:27:48.360><c>

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• moment I guess just just want to take a moment I guess just as<00:04:30.280><c> a</c><00:04:30.880><c> p<
• 31.720><c> the</c><00:04:32.120><c> chair</c><00:04:32.600><c> since</c><00:04:32.840><c> this</c> as a p
• privilege of the chair since this as a p privilege of the chair since this is<00:04:33.800><c> my</c>

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:25:34.799><c> something</c><00:25:35.240><c> after</c><00:25:35.559><c> the</c><00:25:35.799><c> P<
• 00:25:36.039><c> after</c><00:25:36.399><c> the</c><00:25:36.559><c> fact</c> be something after the P
• after the fact be something after the P after the fact Because<00:25:37.559><c> by</c><00:25:37.720><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was an introductory Division One budget briefing led by Legislative Budget Assistant staff Melissa Rollins and Jack Mullen. They explained staff roles and agency assignments within Division One, noting that Jack is taking over the General Government category while Melissa handles Categories 2 and 3, and that members can contact either staffer with questions. They also reviewed the upcoming budget calendar, including the governor’s budget presentation expected in mid-February, agency hearings beginning around February 17–20, a Division One deadline around March 26, and House Finance reporting deadlines in early April. A major portion of the discussion focused on how to read fiscal notes and the difference between expenditures and appropriations. Staff used sample language to explain that a bill may show an expenditure estimate without actually authorizing funding or new positions, and that a zero appropriation means the agency is not authorized to spend the estimated amount unless the bill is amended. Members asked questions about why a bill could show costs but still not authorize spending or hiring, and staff clarified that new positions require specific legislative authorization and classification detail. They also noted that many bills will have expenditure lines without appropriations, and that amendments may be needed if the committee wants to fund or authorize the program. The rest of the meeting walked members through the HB 1 and HB 2 tracking documents used by the division. Staff explained that HB 1 tracking sheets record additional agency requests not included in the governor’s budget, including requests that may be zero-net transfers, corrections, or new spending items, and that grayed-out items indicate actions already taken. They said HB 2 will be handled through a similar tracking process, with amendments routed through LBA staff and the Office of Legislative Services. Members were told that the division will review agency budgets, class lines, and proposed changes over roughly six weeks, with the goal of preparing a detailed change report for full House Finance.

Transcript Highlights:

• 30 for the governor's office the amendment will remove one governor senior advisor position at an s p

Committee: All JBC-PERSONNEL

Summary: The committee met and took several budget-related items out of order. It first approved a revised Auditor’s Office letter and amendment that reduced requested salary and match increases to 10 percent for operations and UCP, and then approved a revised Lieutenant Governor’s Office request that kept positions at line-item maximums while revising regular salary and match appropriations to a total increase of $99,876. Both items passed without objection. The committee then considered a member amendment from Senator Rice to Senate Bill 30 affecting the Governor’s Office. The amendment would eliminate one Governor senior advisor position, reducing authorized positions from 59 to 58 and cutting regular salaries and matching funds by a total of $264,895. Senator Rice argued the change was warranted because of concerns about former Corrections Secretary Joe Profury’s conduct, transparency, and refusal to appear before Joint Performance Review. Members debated the relevance of the amendment to current duties, whether the governor could still hire the individual in another role, and whether a Board of Corrections member could speak. After discussion, the committee rejected the amendment on a roll call vote. Under regular business, the committee approved an OPM request to reinstate a labor market rate at the crime lab so it can recruit two medical examiners, with pay up to $300,000 for those positions. Members also approved Arkansas State University-Jonesboro’s request for 11 positions tied to the new veterinary medicine school, including clinic, lab, communications, mental health, and administrative roles. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Boom, p re s ent ative. Are you going to be demonstrating that? They can for sure.

Bills: HR1041 , SB137 , SB1255 , SB1226 , SB1238 , SB1258 , SB1325 , SB1460 , SB1543 , SB1730 , SB1921 , SB1733 , SB1216 , SB1256 , SB1061 , SB1534 , SB1873 , SB1653 , SB540 , SB1948

Keywords: Oklahoma, House Resolution, HR1041, Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus, Department of Energy, DOE, advanced nuclear, nuclear energy, small modular reactors, SMRs, microreactors, energy innovation, advanced energy, energy security, economic development, job creation, workforce training, research and development, nuclear supply chain, clean energy

Transcript Highlights:

• P. You always do it that well when... You always do it that well when I'm out here and I don't...

Bills: SB211 , HB96 , SB215 , SB257 , SB13 , SB13

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: school safety, local law enforcement, superintendent, complaints, school bus regulations, National Signing Day, athletic scholarships, military enlistment, postsecondary education, apprenticeship programs, high school students, educational commitments, education intervention, State Superintendent, local boards, provisional release, subpoena authority, compliance, educational operation control, fundraising

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the thing that drives the whole program, I mean, this office is... the part of the P oplc there
• could be the part of the P oplc there could be legal<02:47:43.960><c> as</c><02:47:44.080><c> well</c
• that</c><02:56:12.760><c> has</c><02:56:13.359><c> no</c><02:56:14.359><c> expertise</c> under the P
• </c><03:45:17.359><c> derome</c><03:45:18.359><c> I</c> I believe this is Paul derome I I believe this
• is Paul derome I apologize<03:45:19.159><c> if</c><03:45:19.279><c> I</c><03:45:19.439><c> have</c><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up House Bill 702, which would change how extra or special duty pay for retired police officers is treated for retirement and work-limit purposes. Supporters argued the bill would let retirees work more special-duty hours, helping municipalities fill traffic-detail and similar assignments without added state cost, and said it would not prohibit retirees from working but would simply stop those hours from counting toward the return-to-work threshold. Opponents argued the change would be inconsistent with the retirement system’s 2011 reforms, could increase pension liabilities, and would treat the same compensation differently for active employees and retirees. Members also discussed whether the bill would affect current and future retirees, the role of municipalities, and whether the policy amounted to “policing for profit.” The subcommittee ultimately voted 3-2 to recommend inexpedient to legislate (ITL) on HB 702, sending it to the full committee with that recommendation. The committee then discussed House Bill 581, which would create a Group Three retirement plan for new state employees hired after the bill’s effective date. The chair outlined a housekeeping amendment to delay implementation, moving the effective date to January 1, 2026, and noted a sponsor amendment addressing health insurance group inclusion and medical and surgical benefits so those benefits would not be put at risk for the new group. Testimony and discussion focused on the shift from defined benefit to defined contribution, with supporters citing Michigan examples and arguing the bill would help recruit and retain employees while giving them more flexibility. Opponents said the change could weaken retirement security and increase unfunded liability, though supporters responded that the bill still requires employer contributions toward accrued liability and is intended to keep the state on track to pay off its unfunded liability by 2039. The transcript ends with continued discussion of the bill and no final vote shown on HB 581.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's all P-money, 1-5. That's like the entire package of want wish list. Is that correct?
• going to do something, so as a representative, I could go fill out as much money as I want to in a P-

Summary: The committee met informally to receive a detailed briefing from the Division of Administration’s Facility Planning and Control on House Bill 2, the state capital outlay bill. Staff explained the bill’s size and structure, including the current original bill of about $11.1 billion, the role of Priority 1 and Priority 5 funding, the $574 million annual cash line-of-credit capacity, and the large amount of reauthorized or dormant Priority 1 funding that remains in the bill from prior years. Members focused heavily on how projects are selected, how cash-flow estimates are made, and how much of the bill is tied up in long-term Priority 5 placeholders versus money that can actually be spent in the near term. No votes were taken, and the chair emphasized the meeting was informational only. The committee also heard from Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter-Reed, who outlined the higher education capital outlay process, the number of requests submitted, and the deferred maintenance program supported by prior legislative funding. A major theme was concern about dormant projects and over-appropriation of Priority 1 funds. Committee members repeatedly asked how much money is sitting unused, why projects remain in the bill for years, and whether legislators can help remove obsolete or overfunded projects. FPC officials said dormant projects are identified when they have had no expenditures for roughly two years, and that last year some projects were not reauthorized, freeing funds for active projects. They said legislators can help by reducing or eliminating dormant projects and by being cautious about adding new projects during session, since small initial cash amounts can create large future Priority 5 obligations. Members also discussed whether non-state entities, including municipalities, parishes, ports, and nonprofits, should have stronger reporting or expenditure requirements; staff said the current statutes do not require a formal expenditure mandate, though the cooperative agreements allow the state to take back funds if no contract is entered within the required period. Higher education officials said the systems and campuses work year-round with the Board of Regents and FPC to prioritize projects and determine realistic cash needs. Commissioner Hunter-Reed said higher education accounts for a large share of state buildings, that 154 requests were received and 79 were submitted, and that 38 projects have new FY27 funding in the current draft. She also noted that the legislature has provided $100 million over two years for deferred maintenance against a backlog exceeding $2 billion, and that $10 million of that has been set aside for third-party campus reviews of deferred maintenance, space utilization, and preventive maintenance. Overall, the meeting centered on improving capital outlay efficiency, reducing dormant funding, and aligning project requests more closely with what can actually be spent in a year.

Transcript Highlights:

• little Hans so that he never gets stuck in bus lane traffic ever again. so I had prepared just two p
• Um, so I had prepared just two p photos.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So I appreciate the commentary about the illicit market, because we have this conversation in B&P a lot
• And as Chair of B&P, I'm sure I'll be a part of those conversations.

Keywords: 987, senate, all